The only guide you need to find content ideas

You want to create content. Why? It will increase brand awareness, website visitors/social media followers, and paying customers and offer collaboration opportunities. The upsides are plenty. But, when you start creating content, you’re stuck—not finding the topics to create content on.

You sit in front of your screen, waiting for inspiration to strike, but that doesn’t happen. And this way, hours pass, but the ideas aren’t coming by.

I admit finding new content ideas isn’t easy. But, it’s also not as hard to stop you from creating content altogether. There’s a way to generate content ideas consistently. In this post, we will tell you the five such methods—so you’re never stuck and create content routinely.

1. Spy your competitors

There are leading brands/influencers in every industry. They have been creating content for decades and know their users inside out. They know which topics to focus on and how to create content that persuades people to read and become a follower. Take advantage of this.

Note the brands/influencers that are reaching the customers you want to. For example, if you want to attract users wanting to learn SEO, you know Ahrefs, SEMrush, and many other brands are targeting the same audience.

Then, check their website, social media channels, and email newsletter to find the topics they create content on. You’ll know what content themes you must focus on and can start creating content accordingly.

2. Scan Udemy courses

People pay for Udemy sources. And when someone pays to access content, you know that demand for such content is high (else, why will users pay?). You just have to provide the supply.

Here's how you can take advantage of this:

Step 1: Head over to Udemy.

Step 2: Browse the categories section. Choose the topics related to your niche.

Or you can even search for the topic keyword.

Step 3: You'll get a list of courses. Scroll below to the best-selling courses.

Or filter courses with 4+ stars.

Step 4: Note down the topics of the most popular course. Start creating content on it.

3. Ask Quora

Quora is a powerful Q&A platform where users ask and answer questions. It will help you find what your target audience wants answers to that you can create content on.

Here's how:

Step 1: Go to Quora

Step 2: Type in a keyword.

Step 3: You'll get a list of questions. Click on one of them. Go to the comment section and see if the answers satisfy the users. Make a note of questions that don't.

Step 4: Besides a question, Quora also shows you related questions. Make a list of them. Answer them through your content.

Here’s an example for you:

I searched for SaaS blogging on Quora. It showed me the popular questions on the platform.

After clicking on the top question, Quora also showed me the list of related questions.

Save these questions in Google sheets. You now have a list of content topics to talk and educate your followers about.

4. Use BuzzSumo

BuzzSumo is a treasure trove. On it, you’ll find the content with the most social shares. So, using it, you’ll know what your audience prefers to read (else, why will they share the content?). All you have to do is publish quality content on a similar topic.

Here's how to search blog topics on BuzzSumo:

Step 1: Go to BuzzSumo

Step 2: Enter a keyword related to your business

Step 3: You'll get a list of the most popular content on that topic. Add them to your content calendar.

Step 4: Start creating content on those topics.

For example, I searched for content marketing on BuzzSumo. It showed me the popular articles with the most social shares and engagement.

You now have a list of trending content ideas you can capitalize on.

There are two more ways:

a) Search for the best-performing content of a particular website.

Here's how: Type an industry leader or a competitor website into BuzzSumo. It will tell you what their best-performing content is. Make a list of their ten popular content pieces, and publish/record YouTube videos on those topics.

b) Find what the social media (Twitter/YouTube/Facebook) influencers are writing on.

For example, I searched for 'content marketing' and clicked on the Influencers tab at the top. BuzzSumo showed me a list of influencers who have shared articles on that topic. You, too, can write about the same topic.

5. Don’t forget social media

Social media is where people share their thoughts on pretty much everything: what are their problems, what content they’d like to consume, why the existing brands don’t help them, and more. You can listen to them and get a ton of content ideas.

Here’s how to get started:

a) Check your analytics

If you’re publishing consistently, see which posts receive the maximum likes, comments, and shares. The more engagement a post gets, the more chances that people prefer to read them. So, double down on such content. For example, if your posts on case studies receive the most engagement, write more case studies. If people like your video explainers, create more videos. And so on.

b) Scan comments and DMs

People speak about what content they like/dislike in comments, and some may even message you. Ensure you pay attention to people’s content suggestions.

c) Ask your followers directly

Many leading brands/influencers ask followers what content they’d like to read/view and create content accordingly. Do the same.

d) Be attentive to trends

Use Twitter hashtags to find what’s trending in your niche. For example, you can type in #tech to see what people are talking about and can create content on those topics. Another way to find trends is to explore the ‘For You’ page on Twitter and follow leading influencers in your niche.

Similarly, follow Facebook pages and Subreddits in your niche to know current trends.

Forget the content block with this guide

Next time you’re stuck, you know how to find content inspiration. Use this guide to fill your content calendar with content ideas and publish content consistently.